The Millstone Times May 2022

The Millstone Times would like to pay tribute to Thomas Cosentino (Former Executive Director of t e Garden State Wine Growers Association, Friend, and Advertiser)

Thomas Consentino did a lot for promoting the burgeoning wine growers of New Jersey. He was instrumental in putting New Jersey on the map as far as bringing regional and national attention to the wine growing industry here in our state. His advocacy for NJ wineries brought attention and more growth to the state. He knew the importance and value of New Jersey’s soil and climate, when it came to growing grapes, and he advocated not only for the larger vineyards, but the smaller ones as well. His background as a public relations professional made him the perfect candidate to stand up and fight for something that he was truly passionate about. He was instrumental in passage of direct shipping legislation that supported New Jersey’s budding wineries and for solidifying the Garden State Wine Growers Association into the strong force it is today. According to Jack Tomasello from Tomasello Wineries, “Tom loved to bring people together. He had the patience and the personality to get things done.” Scott Donnini, owner of Auburn Road Vineyards in Woodstown, NJ, close friend, and present chairperson for the Garden State Wine Growers Association added, “Tom was the one who put New Jersey on the map as far as the wine industry goes. He would attend conventions all over the U.S. representing NJ wine growers, bringing attention to his state. He loved people and was one of the nicest guys you would ever know. He was an amazing marketer and was good at his job because he was genuinely proud of the wineries and the people behind them. Whether lecturing at conventions or mentoring, he was well loved and respected in the industry. I remember him as always being upbeat and supportive. He never complained about things. Even with the health issues he was going through, he always tried to remain positive.” Tom was an advertiser for many years with The Millstone Times and built a mutual relationship with the owner, Cami Gunther, who remembers him fondly as selfless, kind, and very professional, to the point of calling her from the hospital three days before he passed to apologize for not returning an email sooner. “This was the kind of man he was,” stated Scott Donnini. “Everybody loved him. He died too young. He was fifty-nine years old. We didn’t expect to lose him. We all miss him a lot.” Our heartfelt condolences to the Consentino family for your loss. Tom’s legacy and his advocacy for the wine growers of New Jersey will live on. Keep Tom’s vision for New Jersey Wine growers alive by visiting one of your local wineries and supporting them. Garden State Wine growers Association is a non- profit organization aimed at supporting and promoting the NJ Wine industry. Visit www.newjerseywines.com for information on events and more.

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8 The Millstone Times

May 2022